10655 - Scientist IV, Geophysics and Planetary Geosciences Group

Will Statement Will: Will be a member of a planetary science research group involved in both ground-based and space-based research into general geochemistry, cosmochemistry, isotope geochemistry, comparative planetology, and astrobiology. Will report to the 3225 Group Supervisor (Planetary Chemistry and Astrobiology). Will be responsible for performing scientific research within the area of organic geochemistry with a strong focus on geobiological and/or astrobiological investigations.• Identify scientific questions and issues, and apply theoretical principles, creative analytical and experimental techniques and scientific methods to understand the origin and significance of organic material in terrestrial and extraterrestrial geological samples. • Conceive, plan, and conduct research and development efforts involving theoretical and analytical studies.• Publish or contribute to publications in refereed scientific journals, and present papers at scientific conferences. • Write or contribute to proposals to support research and missions to achieve scientific goals. • Pursue new mission and/or instrument opportunities through advocacy and outreach within the scientific and stakeholder community.• Remain abreast of and consult on all applicable scientific advancements. • Lead and/or oversee design and development of new scientific investigations (experimental, theoretical, and/or data analysis); responsible for performing leading-edge scientific and technological investigations. • Provide highly complex and unique scientific advice and assessment to projects and/or programs for instruments or subsystems as a representative of the science community.• Oversee the development and delivery of project/program presentations; ensures that presentations follow project/program communication objectives. • Serve as team member on internal review boards for proposals and/or subsystems. • Work on major assignments and projects without appreciable direction, typically exercising considerable latitude in determining objectives.• Mentor and coach others internal and external to the organization and inside and outside scope of responsibility. • Regular use of creativity and innovation, often leading to significant breakthroughs in discipline. • Exercise discretion and independent judgment in evaluating potential approaches and solutions to new and unusual problems with organization-wide impact and determining appropriate resolutions. • Advises and consults with management or equivalent within and outside own organization. • Serve as an essential team leader on teams inside or outside organization, project, activity or function, including outside JPL. Skills Required Skills:• Ph.D. degree in geoscience, planetary science, or a related scientific discipline with typically a minimum of five years related experience.• Wide-ranging experience and advanced scientific knowledge of organic geochemistry and the ability to use some combination of analytical, experimental, and theoretical approaches to solving problems in the sub-disciplines of geobiology and/or astrobiology.• Interest in working closely with science and engineering teams to design Solar System sample return and planetary exploration missions and instrumentation.• Interest in working closely with science and engineering teams to design state of the art organic-clean sample handling and analysis facilities. • Extensive understanding and demonstrated experience in conceiving, defining, and conducting independent scientific research, with a strong interest in applying those efforts to investigation of themes such as the origin and evolution of life on Earth, the study of extraterrestrial organic compounds, the recognition of biosignatures in returned Solar System samples.• Demonstrated professional reputation as a productive researcher with a track record of publications in peer-review